September 1 – October 4, 2026
This year, our parish will join the global Catholic Church and Christians around the world in celebrating the Season of Creation. This annual ecumenical observance unites Christians in a shared call to care for God’s creation, our common home. It is a time to renew and deepen our relationship with our Creator and with all creation through prayer, reflection, and action.
How can you participate in the 2026 Season of Creation at SKD?
August 30th | Sunday | 2:00 to 4:00 PM | Starting in the Church Nave
“Brother Sun, Sister Moon”: Encountering our Creator through “Living Waters”
Inspired by the imagery of St. Francis of Assisi and the Season of Creation theme, this mini retreat
will take you through a variety of activities designed to explore how our faith calls us to care for creation through prayer, Scripture and action. Families/children, high school students, confirmation candidates are encouraged to attend. All are welcome. Scan the QR code to register by August 23.
September 3rd | Thursday | 6:30 PM | SKD Church Nave
Special Mass for the Care of Creation – Father Matt will celebrate this mass for the first time at SKD. This special mass was added to the Roman Missal by Pope Leo XIV in 2025. A dedicated set of creation-related prayers and biblical readings invite us to thank God for the beauty of our common home and pray for the grace to be faithful stewards of His gifts. All are welcome.
September 1st | Tuesday | 9:00 AM | Online Only
World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation – Join the global community for an online prayer service. The theme of the Pope Leo XIV’s message highlights the link between armed conflict and environmental degradation: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks” (Is 2:4). The Pope’s full message will be published online at a later date.
September 20th | Sunday| 12:30 – 1:30 PM | Brockway Room
Go with the Flow: Faith and Science in Action – Speaker Catherine Gaudlip, Hood College-Center for Coastal and Watershed Studies’ Academic Program Coordinator, will help us understand the flow and health of our local watershed and how we can live out God’s call to care for His gift of water.
September 12th | Saturday | 10:00 AM – Noon | Meet at Monocacy Middle School
SKD Road Crew – Join fellow parishioners in picking up trash discarded along our community roadways. Our efforts are part of the Frederick County Adopt-A-Road program that promotes community pride and environmental stewardship. High School community service hours are available.
October 4th | Sunday | 1:30 – 2:00 PM | Church Plaza
Feast of St. Francis Annual Blessing of Animals
Bring your pets for a short prayer service that honors the bond between humans and their animal companions.
October 3rd | Saturday | 9:30 AM – Noon | Mount St. Mary’s, Emmitsburg, MD
2nd Annual SKD Pilgrimage to the National Shrine Grotto of our Lady of Lourdes. This year’s pilgrimage will include a special service marking the 800th anniversary of St. Francis of Assisi’s transition to eternal life. Weather permitting, we will also walk the grounds and pray the rosary.